Nigeria, Feb. 9 -- Data released by the Akwa Ibom State Government shows that the state has vaccinated 1.29 million children in the ongoing nationwide Measles-Rubella immunisation campaign, just six days after the exercise commenced in the state.

The immunisation campaign targets children to protect them against measles and rubella, two highly contagious viral diseases that remain a major cause of childhood illness and death in Nigeria despite the availability of effective vaccines.

Nigeria periodically conducts mass immunisation campaigns as part of efforts to close immunity gaps, reduce the number of "zero-dose" children who have never received any routine vaccine and meet national and global public health targets.

The Commissioner f...